leupeptins and Adenocarcinoma

Arl4c is overexpressed in several cancer tissues and is involved in cancer development. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism that regulates Arl4c expression in lung cancer has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulatory mechanism of Arl4c and to explore potential chemotherapeutic drugs targeting Arl4c.. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine Arl4c expression levels in human lung adenocarcinoma cancer specimens. Protein expression was detected by western blot. Overexpression of Arl4c-Flag protein was used to detect the ubiquitination of Arl4c. A short interfering RNA against Arl4c was used for gene silencing.. Arl4c was overexpressed in lung cancer tissues, and knockdown of Arl4c expression by siRNA decreased lung cancer A549 and 95-D cell proliferation. In addition, Arl4c expression was downregulated via inhibition of the AKT pathway in A549 and 95-D cells, whereas exposure to benzo (a) pyrene (a carcinogen in smoke) increased Arl4c expression in 16HBE cells via AKT activation. Finally, we found that chemotherapy drug hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) could decrease Arl4c expression levels by inhibiting the activation of the AKT pathway in A549 and 95-D cells. Moreover, accumulation of ubiquitinated Arl4c protein was increased by HCPT and LY294002 (an AKT inhibitor) treatment whereas the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 attenuated the inhibitory effect of HCPT and LY294002 on Arl4c expression.. Here, we highlighted the AKT pathway as an important regulatory pathway for Arl4c expression in lung cancer cells and identified HCPT as a promising drug for lung adenocarcinoma treatment that functioned by targeting Arl4c expression.

Topics: A549 Cells; Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma of Lung; ADP-Ribosylation Factors; Blotting, Western; Camptothecin; Cell Line, Tumor; Chromones; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Humans; Leupeptins; Lung Neoplasms; Morpholines; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Signal Transduction; Smoking

Deubiquitinase (DUB) can reverse the ubiquitin signal, and participate in virtually all aspects of cancer progression. Thus, DUB represents an attractive target for development of anticancer drugs. However, little is known about DUB which can be used as drug targets. Here, we found that the constitutive photomorphogenic 9 (COP9) signalosome complex subunit 6 (COPS6/CSN6), a DUB belongs to JAMM/MPN domain-associated metallopeptidases(JAMMs) class, was highly expressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PAAD) tissues. High expression of CSN6 was associated with tumor TNM stage and metastasis in PAAD patients. Moreover, we demonstrated that CSN6 promoted invasion and metastasis through regulating forkhead box protein A1 (FOXA1) in PAAD cells. Re-expression of FOXA1 rescued the decreased invasion and metastasis caused by CSN6 knockdown, whereas inhibition of FOXA1 alleviated the pro-metastasis effect induced by CSN6 overexpression. Further, CSN6 regulated the expression of FOXA1 via c-Fos in PAAD cells. Mechanistically, CSN6 stabilized c-Fos protein by binding to it and decreasing its ubiquitination. Our work identified CSN6 as a targeting-permissible deubiquitinase, and CSN6 inhibition maybe a potential treatment strategy for PAAD.

Topics: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Adenocarcinoma; Aged; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; COP9 Signalosome Complex; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-alpha; Humans; Leupeptins; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; RNA, Small Interfering; Signal Transduction; Survival Analysis; Ubiquitin; Ubiquitination; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

The adenovirus vector-based cancer gene therapy is controversial. Low transduction efficacy is believed to be one of the main barriers for the decreased expression of coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) on tumor cells. However, the expression of CAR on primary tumor tissue and tumor tissue survived from treatment has still been not extensively studied. The present study analyzed the adenovirus infection rates and CAR expression in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and its cisplatin-resistant subline A549/DDP. The results showed that although the CAR expression in A549 and A549/DDP was not different, compared with the A549, A549/DDP appeared obviously to reject adenovirus infection. Moreover, we modified CAR expression in the two cell lines with proteasome inhibitor MG-132 and histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA), and analyzed the adenovirus infection rates after modifying agent treatments. Both TSA and MG-132 pretreatments could increase the CAR expression in the two cell lines, but the drug pretreatments could only make A549 cells more susceptible to adenovirus infectivity.

Topics: A549 Cells; Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma of Lung; Adenoviridae; Adenoviridae Infections; Cell Line, Tumor; Cisplatin; Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor-Like Membrane Protein; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; Humans; Hydroxamic Acids; Leupeptins; Lung Neoplasms; Proteasome Inhibitors

Scopadulciol (1), a scopadulan-type diterpenoid, was isolated from Scoparia dulcis along with three other compounds (2-4) by an activity-guided approach using the TCF reporter (TOP) luciferase-based assay system. A fluorometric microculture cytotoxicity assay (FMCA) revealed that compound 1 was cytotoxic to AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. The treatment of AGS cells with 1 decreased β-catenin levels and also inhibited its nuclear localization. The pretreatment of AGS cells with a proteasome inhibitor, either MG132 or epoxomicin, protected against the degradation of β-catenin induced by 1. The 1-induced degradation of β-catenin was also abrogated in the presence of pifithrin-α, an inhibitor of p53 transcriptional activity. Compound 1 inhibited TOP activity in AGS cells and downregulated the protein levels of cyclin D1, c-myc, and survivin. Compound 1 also sensitized AGS cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis by increasing the levels of the death receptors, DR4 and DR5, and decreasing the level of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Collectively, our results demonstrated that 1 induced the p53- and proteasome-dependent degradation of β-catenin, which resulted in the inhibition of TCF/β-catenin transcription in AGS cells. Furthermore, 1 enhanced apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant AGS when combined with TRAIL.

Topics: Abietanes; Adenocarcinoma; Apoptosis; Benzothiazoles; beta Catenin; Down-Regulation; Humans; Leupeptins; Molecular Structure; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; Scoparia; Stomach Neoplasms; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; Toluene; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Cyclins are essential for cell proliferation, the cell cycle and tumorigenesis in all eukaryotes. UbcH10 regulates the degradation of cyclins in a ubiquitin-dependent manner. Here, we report that UbcH10 is likely involved in tumorigenesis. We found that cancer cells exposed to n-acetyl-leu-leu-norleucinal (ALLN) treatment and UbcH10 depletion exhibit a synergistic therapeutic effect. Abundant expression of UbcH10 drives resistance to ALLN-induced cell death, while cells deficient in UbcH10 were susceptible to ALLN-induced cell death. The depletion of UbcH10 hindered tumorigenesis both in vitro and in vivo, as assessed by colony formation, growth curve, soft agar and xenograft assays. These phenotypes were efficiently rescued through the introduction of recombinant UbcH10. In the UbcH10-deficient cells, alterations in the expression of cyclins led to cell cycle changes and subsequently decreases in tumorigenesis. The tumorigenesis of xenograft tumors from UbcH10-deficient cells treated with ALLN was decreased relative to wild-type cells treated with ALLN in nude mice. On the molecular level, we observed that UbcH10 deficiency enhances the activation of caspase 8 and caspase 3 but not caspase 9 to impair cell viability upon ALLN treatment. Collectively, our results suggest that, as an oncogene, UbcH10 is a potential drug target for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Carcinogenesis; Caspases; Cell Cycle; Cell Death; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Colorectal Neoplasms; Cyclins; Dependovirus; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Genetic Vectors; Humans; Leupeptins; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Mice, Nude; Signal Transduction; Ubiquitin; Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

To evaluate the effect of proteasome inhibitor MG132 in cancer cachexia and to delineate the molecular mechanism underlying.. We established an experimental cancer cachexia model by subcutaneously implanting colon 26 cells into the armpits of BALB/c mice. Following administration of MG132 at various time points, body weight, food intake, gastrocnemius muscle weight, spontaneous activity and survival of tumor-bearing mice were examined along with tumor growth. Moreover, cachectic markers including glucose, triglyceride, albumin and total proteins as well as levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in serum and gastrocnemius tissue were measured. Finally, mRNA and protein levels of p65, IκBα, and ubiquitin E3 ligases MuRF1 and MAFbx in gastrocnemius muscle were assessed.. MG132 treatment significantly alleviated cancer cachexia as demonstrated by attenuated weight loss, altered carbohydrate metabolism and muscle atrophy and increased spontaneous activity and survival time of tumor-bearing mice. MG132 reduced tumor growth and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum and gastrocnemius tissue. NF-κB, MuRF1 and MAFbx were also inhibited by MG132. Unexpectedly, MG132 was more efficient when administrated during the early stages of cachexia. MG132 had no effect on food intake of tumor-bearing mice.. Our results demonstrate that MG132-induced inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in cancer cachexia decreased the activity of NF-κB and the degradation of IκBα, and reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum and gastrocnemius tissue, accompanied by downregulation of MuRF1 and MAFbx. These data suggest that MG132 is a potential therapeutic and preventive agent for cancer cachexia.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Cachexia; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Cell Line, Tumor; Interleukin-6; Leupeptins; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Motor Activity; Muscle, Skeletal; Neoplasm Transplantation; NF-kappa B; Proteasome Inhibitors; Proteolysis; Tumor Burden; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Ubiquitination; Weight Loss

Pancreatic cancer is almost always fatal, in part because of its delayed diagnosis, poor prognosis, rapid progression and chemoresistance. Oncogenic proteins are stabilized by the Hsp90, making it a potential therapeutic target. We investigated the oxidative stress-mediated dysfunction of Hsp90 and the hindrance of its chaperonic activity by a carbazole alkaloid, mahanine, as a strategic therapeutic in pancreatic cancer. Mahanine exhibited antiproliferative activity against several pancreatic cancer cell lines through apoptosis. It induced early accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to thiol oxidation, aggregation and dysfunction of Hsp90 in MIAPaCa-2. N-acetyl-L-cysteine prevented mahanine-induced ROS accumulation, aggregation of Hsp90, degradation of client proteins and cell death. Mahanine disrupted Hsp90-Cdc37 complex in MIAPaCa-2 as a consequence of ROS generation. Client proteins were restored by MG132, suggesting a possible role of ubiquitinylated protein degradation pathway. Surface plasmon resonance study demonstrated that the rate of interaction of mahanine with recombinant Hsp90 is in the range of seconds. Molecular dynamics simulation showed its weak interactions with Hsp90. However, no disruption of the Hsp90-Cdc37 complex was observed at an early time point, thus ruling out that mahanine directly disrupts the complex. It did not impede the ATP binding pocket of Hsp90. Mahanine also reduced in vitro migration and tube formation in cancer cells. Further, it inhibited orthotopic pancreatic tumor growth in nude mice. Taken together, these results provide evidence for mahanine-induced ROS-mediated destabilization of Hsp90 chaperone activity resulting in Hsp90-Cdc37 disruption leading to apoptosis, suggesting its potential as a specific target in pancreatic cancer.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Adenocarcinoma; Adenosine Triphosphate; Alkaloids; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Carbazoles; Cell Cycle Proteins; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Chaperonins; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; Humans; Leupeptins; Mice; Mice, Nude; Oxidative Stress; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Reactive Oxygen Species; Sulfhydryl Compounds

Carbobenzoxy-Leu-Leu-leucinal (MG132) as a proteasome inhibitor has been shown to induce apoptotic cell death through formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, we evaluated the effects of MG132 on the growth of A549 lung cancer cells in relation to cell growth, ROS and glutathione (GSH) levels. Treatment with MG132 inhibited the growth of A549 cells with an IC(50) of approximately 20 microM at 24 hours. DNA flow cytometric analysis indicated that 0.5 approximately 30 microM MG132 induced a G1 phase arrest of the cell cycle in A549 cells. Treatment with 10 or 30 microM MG132 also induced apoptosis, as evidenced by sub-G1 cells and annexin V staining cells. This was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; Delta psi m). The intracellular ROS levels including O(2) (*-) were strongly increased in 10 or 30 microM MG132-treated A549 cells but were down-regulated in 0.1, 0.5 or 1 microM MG132-treated cells. Furthermore, 10 or 30 microM MG132 increased mitochondrial O(2) (*- ) level but 0.1, 0.5 or 1 microM MG132 decreased that. In addition, 10 or 30 microM MG132 induced GSH depletion in A549 cells. In conclusion, MG132 inhibited the growth of human A549 cells via inducing the cell cycle arrest as well as triggering apoptosis, which was in part correlated with the changes of ROS and GSH levels. Our present data provide important information on the anti-growth mechanisms of MG132 in A549 lung cancer cells in relation to ROS and GSH.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Cell Cycle; Cell Proliferation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Leupeptins; Lung Neoplasms; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Reactive Oxygen Species; Statistics, Nonparametric; Tumor Cells, Cultured

MG132, as a proteasome inhibitor, can induce apoptotic cell death through formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we investigated the effects of MAPK (MEK, JNK, and p38) inhibitors on MG132-treated A549 lung cancer cells in relation to cell growth, cell death, ROS, and glutathione (GSH) levels. Treatment with 10 microM MG132 inhibited the growth of A549 cells at 24 h. MG132 also induced apoptosis, which was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; deltapsi(m)). ROS were not increased in MG132-treated A549 cells. MG132 increased GSH-depleted cell numbers and decreased GSH levels. MEK and JNK inhibitors did not strongly affect cell growth, cell death, ROS, and GSH levels in MG132-treated A549 cells. In contrast, p38 inhibitor reduced cell growth inhibition, apoptosis, and MMP (deltapsi(m)) loss by MG132. However, p38 inhibitor did not change ROS level and GSH content. In conclusion, MG132 inhibited the growth of A549 cells via apoptosis without formation of ROS. Treatment with p38 inhibitor rescued some cells from MG132-induced apotposis, which was not affected by ROS and GSH level changes.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Glutathione; Humans; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Leupeptins; Lung Neoplasms; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Proteasome Inhibitors; Reactive Oxygen Species

MG132 (carbobenzoxy-Leu-Leu-leucinal) as a proteasome inhibitor has been shown to induce apoptotic cell death through formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we investigated the effects of MEK (mitogen-activated protein [MAP] kinase or extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK] kinase) or p38 inhibitor on MG132-treated Calu-6 lung cancer cells in relation to cell growth, cell death, ROS, and glutathione (GSH) levels. Treatment with 10 mumol/L MG132 inhibited the growth of Calu-6 cells at 24 hours. MG132 induced apoptosis in Calu-6 cells, which was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; DeltaPsi(m)). ROS were increased in MG132-treated Calu-6 cells. MG132 also induced GSH depletion in Calu-6 cells. Treatment with MEK inhibitor did not significantly affect cell growth, cell death, ROS, and GSH levels in MG132-treated Calu-6 cells. Furthermore, MG132 increased the phosphorylation of p38 in Calu-6 cells at 1 and 24 hours. Treatment with p38 inhibitor significantly prevented cell growth inhibition, MMP (DeltaPsi(m)) loss and apoptosis in MG132-treated Calu-6 cells. This inhibitor increased ROS level and decreased GSH depletion in these cells. In conclusion, p38 inhibitor partially prevented Calu-6 cell death by MG132, which might be affected by GSH level changes.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; Cell Cycle; Cell Proliferation; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Flavonoids; Glutathione; Humans; Imidazoles; Leupeptins; Lung Neoplasms; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Pyridines; Reactive Oxygen Species; Tumor Cells, Cultured

We show that treatment with non-toxic doses of zinc in association to the ionophore compound pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) inhibits p53(-/-) pancreatic cancer cell growth much more efficiently than gemcitabine, the gold standard chemotherapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer. Both the metal chelator N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine and the radical scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine are able to recover cell growth inhibition by Zn/PDTC, demonstrating that this effect depends on the increased levels of intracellular zinc and of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Zn/PDTC treatment induces a strong apoptotic cell death that is associated to ROS-dependent nuclear translocation of the mitochondrial factor AIF, but not to the regulation of apoptotic genes and caspase activation. Primary fibroblasts are more resistant than pancreatic cancer cells to Zn/PDTC treatment and exhibit a lower basal and Zn/PDTC-induced enhancement of intracellular zinc. We show that Zn/PDTC induces p53 proteasomal degradation and that the proteasome inhibitor MG132 further increases fibroblast growth inhibition by Zn/PDTC, suggesting that p53 degradation plays an important role in fibroblast resistance to Zn/PDTC.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Apoptosis; Apoptosis Inducing Factor; Caspases; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Nucleus; Cell Proliferation; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Enzyme Activation; Ethylenediamines; Fibroblasts; Humans; Intracellular Space; Leupeptins; Mitochondria; Models, Biological; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Protein Transport; Pyrrolidines; Reactive Oxygen Species; Thiocarbamates; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Zinc

The novel proteasome inhibitor NPI-0052 has been shown to sensitize tumor cells to apoptosis by various chemotherapeutic drugs and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), although the mechanisms involved are not clear. We hypothesized that NPI-0052-mediated sensitization may result from NF-kappaB inhibition and downstream modulation of the metastasis inducer Snail and the metastasis suppressor/immunosurveillance cancer gene product Raf-1 kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP). Human prostate cancer cell lines were used as models, as they express different levels of these proteins. We show that NPI-0052 inhibits both NF-kappaB and Snail and induces RKIP expression, thus resulting in cell sensitization to CDDP and TRAIL. The direct role of NF-kappaB inhibition in sensitization was corroborated with the NF-kappaB inhibitor DHMEQ, which mimicked NPI-0052 in sensitization and inhibition of Snail and induction of RKIP. The direct role of Snail inhibition by NPI-0052 in sensitization was shown with Snail small interfering RNA, which reversed resistance and induced RKIP. Likewise, the direct role of RKIP induction in sensitization was revealed by both overexpression of RKIP (mimicking NPI-0052) and RKIP small interfering RNA that inhibited NPI-0052-mediated sensitization. These findings show that NPI-0052 modifies the NF-kappaB-Snail-RKIP circuitry in tumor cells and results in downstream inhibition of antiapoptotic gene products and chemoimmunosensitization. The findings also identified Snail and RKIP as targets for reversal of resistance.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Boronic Acids; Bortezomib; Cisplatin; Humans; Lactones; Leupeptins; Male; Melanoma; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; NF-kappa B; Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein; Prostatic Neoplasms; Proteasome Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; Pyrazines; Pyrroles; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Small Interfering; Snail Family Transcription Factors; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; Transcription Factors; Transfection; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Inhibition of proteasome has been emerging as a promising approach in pathway-directed cancer therapy. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling, which is known to be regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in osteoblasts, plays a crucial role in the suppression of gastrointestinal carcinogenesis. Here we sought to elucidate the anti-mitogenic effect of a proteasome inhibitor in relation to BMP signalling in colon cancer.. The effects of the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 on proliferation of SW1116 and HT-29 colon cancer cells were determined by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation and colony-formation assay. The involvement of BMP signalling in the action of MG-132 was elucidated by western blot, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence and RNA interference.. MG-132 significantly suppressed the proliferation of colon cancer SW1116 and HT-29 cells. In this regard, MG-132 activated BMP signalling and this was manifested as an increase in Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation and upregulation of p21(Waf1/Cip1) and p27(Kip1) expression. Knockdown of BMP receptor II abolished Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation, the induction of p21(Waf1/Cip1) and p27(Kip1) and inhibition of cell proliferation induced by MG-132. Further analysis revealed that MG-132 upregulated the expression of BMP1 and BMP2, which are secreted members of the BMP superfamily. Moreover, the expression of Smad6, an intracellular inhibitor of BMP signalling, was suppressed by MG-132.. These findings suggest that inhibition of proteasome suppresses the proliferation of colon cancer cells via activation of BMP signalling. They also demonstrate a novel aspect of proteasome function in the regulation of colon cancer cell proliferation.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Antineoplastic Agents; Blotting, Western; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; Cell Line, Tumor; Colonic Neoplasms; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Leupeptins; Phosphorylation; Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA Interference; Signal Transduction

Proteasome inhibitor is a novel class of cancer therapeutics, of which the mechanism of action is not fully understood. It is reported that proteasome inhibitor enhances bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in osteoblasts to stimulate bone formation. BMP signaling is also an important tumor-suppressing pathway in gastric carcinogenesis. We therefore sought to determine the anti-mitogenic effect of proteasome inhibition in relation to BMP signaling in gastric cancer cells. Results showed that proteasome inhibitor MG-132 significantly suppressed the proliferation and the colony-forming ability of gastric cancer TMK1 cells. In this connection, MG-132 activated BMP signaling, manifested as an increase in Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation and up-regulation of p21(Waf1/Cip1) mRNA and protein expression. Knockdown of BMP receptor II by RNA interference abolished Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation, p21(Waf1/Cip1) induction, and the inhibition of cell proliferation induced by MG-132. Further analysis revealed that MG-132 up-regulated the expression of BMP1 and BMP4 and suppressed the expression of Smad6. Knockdown of Smad6 also mimicked the effect of MG-132 on BMP signaling. Collectively, these findings suggest that inhibition of proteasome suppresses gastric cancer cell proliferation via activation of BMP signaling. This discovery may open up a novel therapeutic avenue to proteasome inhibitors for the management of gastric cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Antineoplastic Agents; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 1; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Humans; Leupeptins; Metalloendopeptidases; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Proteasome Inhibitors; RNA, Messenger; Signal Transduction; Smad6 Protein; Stomach Neoplasms

Phosphorylation of checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) at Thr68 (pChk2) induced by DNA double-strand breaks is required for inhibition of cell cycle progression in the G(2) phase. The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the expression of wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1 or PPM1D), a negative regulator of Chk2, to better understand its role in human gastric cancer. In non-neoplastic gastric mucosa, most epithelial cells exhibited Wip1-positive and pChk2-negative immunoreactivity, whereas an inverse pattern of protein expression was detected at the surface of the foveolar epithelium. In tumor tissues, 74% of 53 gastric cancers had intense Wip1 immunoreactivity and close correlation with both tumor size (P = 0.0497) and Chk2 dephosphorylation (P = 0.0213). In MKN-74 gastric cancer cells, ionizing radiation (IR)-induced Wip1 upregulation was detected at protein levels, but the Chk2-mediated cell cycle regulatory mechanism was disrupted. In addition, protease inhibitor Z-Leu-Leu-Leu (ZLLL) effectively upregulated Wip1 levels in the presence or absence of IR, suggesting that Wip1 expression can be modulated post-transcriptionally. Understanding the Wip1-mediated signaling pathway in gastric cancer may provide useful information for the development of new chemo- and radiotherapies.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Checkpoint Kinase 2; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Enzyme Induction; Female; Gastric Mucosa; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Leupeptins; Male; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; Protein Phosphatase 1; Protein Phosphatase 2C; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Radiation, Ionizing; Stomach Neoplasms; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

To investigate the reversing effect of NF-kappaB inhibitor MG-132 on chemoresistance of gastric cancer cells to vincristine.. In vincristine-resistant human gastric cancer cells (SGC7901/VCR) and the parental sensitive clone (SGC7901), NF-kappaB-DNA binding activity was determined by electrophoreses mobility shift assay (EMSA). The inhibition level of kappaB (IkappaB-alpha) expression was measured by cellular-ELISA. Immunocytochemistry was used to detect the translocation of p65 and chemosensitivity of the cells was determined by MTT assay.. Compared with the parental SGC7901 cells, both the baseline and VCR-induced NF-kappaB-DNA binding activities in various concentrations were all higher in the SGC7901/VCR cells. Pretreatment with MG-132, the NF-kappaB inhibitor, for 30 minutes remarkably reduced the NF-kappaB activation, IkappaB-alpha degradation and nuclear translocation of p65. As to the SGC7901/VCR cells and the parental sensitive SGC7901 cells, the IC(50) values for VCR were 40.03 mg/L and 0.26 mg/L, respectively. MG-132 (2.5 micromol/L) significantly enhanced the toxicity of VCR in SGC7901/VCR cells and decreased the resistance index from 154.0 to 16.5. However, MG-132 did not show an obvious effect on the VCR sensitivity in sensitive SGC7901 cells.. Our data indicate that inhibition of NF-kappaB activation in gastric cancer cells may reverse the drug resistance to VCR in the cancer cells and increase the efficiency of chemotherapy.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Humans; Leupeptins; NF-kappa B; Stomach Neoplasms; Vincristine

The 26S proteasome is a ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic system that has been implicated in the regulation of cell cycle progression and apoptosis. We investigated the effects of the proteasome inhibitors MG115 and PSI alone or in combination with different concentrations of the antiandrogen hydroxyflutamide on the cellular proliferation, apoptosis and viability of 10 prostatic adenocarcinoma cell cultures. Treatment with both proteasome inhibitors resulted in apoptosis induction, whereas the combinations with hydroxyflutamide generally did not, with the exception of MG115 combined with 10(-7) M hydroxyflutamide. MG115 caused a significant decrease in cellular proliferation, as did the combinations of both proteasome inhibitors with hydroxyflutamide, whereas hydroxyflutamide alone was only effective at a concentration of 10(-5) M. Cellular viability was significantly reduced when both proteasome inhibitors were combined with 10(-5) M hydroxyflutamide. Although the results varied among different cell lines, we conclude that proteasome inhibitors are able to induce apoptosis and reduce cellular proliferation. They might prove effective as antineoplastic substances in prostatic adenocarcinoma alone or in combination with antiandrogens.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Androgen Antagonists; Apoptosis; Cell Division; Cell Survival; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Drug Interactions; Flutamide; Humans; Leupeptins; Male; Oligopeptides; Prostatic Neoplasms; Protease Inhibitors; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The p53 oncosuppressor protein is subject to negative regulation by MDM2, which efficiently inhibits its activity through an autoregulatory loop. In response to stress, however, p53 undergoes post-translational modifications that allow the protein to escape MDM2 control, accumulate, and become active. Recent studies have shown that, following DNA damage, the HIPK2 serine/threonine kinase binds and phosphorylates p53, inducing p53 transcriptional activity and apoptotic function. Here, we investigated the role of HIPK2 in the activation of p53 in the presence of MDM2. We found that HIPK2 rescues p53 transcriptional activity overcoming MDM2 inhibition, and that restoration of this p53 function induces apoptosis. Recovery of p53-dependent apoptosis is achieved by preventing p53 nuclear export and ubiquitination mediated by MDM2 in vitro and in vivo following genotoxic stress. These results shed new light on the mechanisms by which the HIPK2/p53 pathway promotes apoptosis and suppression of tumorigenesis.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Carrier Proteins; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Nucleus; Cisplatin; Colonic Neoplasms; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; DNA Damage; Humans; Leupeptins; Luciferases; Lung Neoplasms; Nuclear Proteins; Osteosarcoma; Precipitin Tests; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2; Transcriptional Activation; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Ubiquitin

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays a critical role in the degradation of cellular proteins and cell cycle control. Dysregulating the degradation of such proteins should have profound effects on tumor growth and causes cells to undergo apoptosis. The aims of this study are to evaluate the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in gastric cancer and the potential role of pharmacological inhibition of proteasome on induction of apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Gastric cancer cell lines AGS (p53 wild-type) and MKN-28 (p53 mutant) were treated with proteasome inhibitor MG132. The results showed that MG132 inhibited cell proliferation in AGS and MKN-28 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of cell proliferation was caused by apoptosis which was also time- and dose-dependent. AGS cells were more responsive to MG132 than MKN-28 cells. Induction of apoptosis was preceded by the activation of caspase-3, as measured by a colorimetric caspase-3 cellular activity and Western blotting of the cleavage of caspase-3 and its substrate PARP. Activation of caspase-7 was also exhibited. In addition, z-VAD-fmk, a broad spectrum caspase inhibitor, reversed apoptosis induced by MG132 in AGS and MKN28 cells. Although z-DEVD-fmk, a specific caspase-3 inhibitor, suppressed MG132-induced apoptosis in MKN28 cells, it only partially rescued the apoptotic effect in AGS cells. Caspase-3 activation was the result of release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol, as a consequence of upregulation of bax. There were overexpressions of all the proteasome-related proteins p53, p21(waf1) and p27(kip1) at 4 hr after proteasome inhibition which was identified by the accumulation of ubiquitin-tagged proteins. This was accompanied by accumulation of cells at G(1) phase. Our present study suggests that inhibition of proteasome function in gastric cancer cells induces apoptosis and proteasomal inhibitors have potential use as novel anticancer drugs in gastric cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Apoptosis; Caspase 3; Caspase 7; Caspases; Cell Cycle; Cell Cycle Proteins; Cell Division; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; Cyclins; Cysteine Endopeptidases; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Enzyme Activation; Humans; Leupeptins; Multienzyme Complexes; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Stomach Neoplasms; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Tumor Suppressor Proteins; Ubiquitins; Up-Regulation

The E6 proteins derived from tumour associated papillomavirus types target the cellular tumour suppressor protein p53 for ubiquitin mediated degradation. In cell lines derived from cervical tumours the p53 protein is present in very low amounts, but it can be activated by appropriate DNA damaging agents, indicating that functional p53 is present within these lines. Recent studies have also shown that different polymorphic forms of the p53 protein are differentially susceptible to E6 mediated degradation. Therefore we have been interested in analysing the effects of different HPV E6 proteins upon p53 levels in a variety of cervical tumour derived cell lines. We show that inhibition of E6 mediated degradation of p53 frequently results in increased levels of p53 expression. However, there are notable exceptions to this where increased p53 levels are only obtained following DNA damage and proteasome inhibition. We also show in E6 expressing cells, that as well as p53 being targeted for degradation, the localization of p53 to the nucleus is also inhibited, consistent with previous observations which indicate that degradation of p53 is not essential for E6 mediated inhibition of p53 function. These results have important implications for any potential therapies which might aim to block E6 mediated degradation of p53.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Cell Nucleus; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; DNA Damage; DNA-Binding Proteins; Female; Fibrosarcoma; Humans; Leupeptins; Mitomycin; Oncogene Proteins, Viral; Papillomaviridae; Polymorphism, Genetic; Repressor Proteins; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Overexpression or activation of insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) has been observed in many human cancers including breast, lung, colon and gastric carcinomas. We demonstrate that inhibition of the endogenous insulin-like growth factor I receptor by stable expression of a dominant-negative IGF-IR represses the transforming activity in vitro and tumorigenicity of human lung carcinoma cells A549 in vivo. The suppression of tumorigenicity in nude mice is correlated with the induction of glandular differentiation. In addition, functional inhibition of the endogenous receptor dramatically increases the sensitivity of A549 cells to a variety of apoptotic signals including UV irradiation and proteasome inhibitors. These effects are due to the formation of a stable heterocomplex of the dominant-negative receptor with the endogenous wild type receptor which reduces the kinase activity of the latter by twofold. Thus, inhibition of the IGF-IR signaling pathway not only suppresses tumorigenicity but also enhances sensitivity to apoptosis-inducing agents. Antagonizing IGF-IR signaling by promoting tumor differentiation and enhancing sensitivity to apoptotic death are potential cancer therapeutic approaches.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Apoptosis; Carcinogenicity Tests; Cell Differentiation; Cell Division; Cysteine Endopeptidases; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Genes, Dominant; Genes, Tumor Suppressor; Humans; Leupeptins; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Mice, Nude; Multienzyme Complexes; Phosphorylation; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Receptor, IGF Type 1; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Ultraviolet Rays

In this study we investigated the levels of two lysosomal cysteine protease proteins cathepsin B (CB) and cathepsin L (CL) and the levels of three cysteine protease inhibitor proteins stefin A (SFA), stefin B (SFB) and cystatin C (CNC) in squamous-cell lung carcinoma (SQCLC) and matched lung parenchyma specimens and examined the inhibition of CB and cathepsin C (CC) activities by endogenous inhibitors in extracts from SQCLC, lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) and lung parenchyma specimens. We found that Stage I SQCLCs contained significantly increased levels of CB protein, CB activity and SFA protein as compared to matched lungs. Neither the levels of CL protein nor the levels of SFB protein nor the levels of CNC protein in Stage I SQCLCs and the lungs were significantly different, but the levels of CB and CL proteins as well as the levels of SFA and SFB proteins showed significant positive correlation in SQCLCs. In SQCLCs as well as in the lungs the level of SFB protein was significantly higher than the level of SFA protein or the level of CNC protein. In the lungs the levels of SFA protein and CNC protein revealed a weak negative correlation trend. In extracts from SQCLCs the level of SFA protein showed a weak negative correlation with the residual CB activity (i.e. the activity remaining after extract preincubation) whereas in extracts from the lungs the level of CNC protein displayed a weak negative correlation trend with the residual CB activity and with the residual CC activity. We observed that SQCLCs and LACs contained not only a significantly increased activity of CB but also a significantly higher inhibitory potential against the activity of endogenous CB as compared to matched lungs. Leupeptin, a small inhibitor of CB, was capable to protect CB in lung carcinoma and lung parenchyma extracts from preincubation-induced inhibition, revealing an active-site directed and competitive nature of CB inhibition by endogenous cystatins. Ultrafiltration passaged protein preparations of nominal Mr < or = 30,000 obtained from extracts of SQCLCs inhibited significantly higher quantities of activity of purified bovine spleen CC than did such protein preparations from matched lungs. Reaction courses of purified bovine spleen CC that had been preincubated with such protein preparations resembled those of endogenous CC from SQCLC and lung extracts showing a slow steady-state approach. These observations and the relaxation kinetics of CC from SQCLC and lung extracts sugges

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Animals; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cathepsin B; Cathepsin C; Cathepsin L; Cathepsins; Cattle; Cystatin A; Cystatin B; Cystatin C; Cystatins; Cysteine Endopeptidases; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Dipeptidyl-Peptidases and Tripeptidyl-Peptidases; Endopeptidases; Female; Humans; Kinetics; Leupeptins; Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Lysosomes; Male; Middle Aged; Sensitivity and Specificity

Leupeptin is a small peptide microbially derived inhibitor of certain proteolytic enzymes. Using N-alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine 4-nitroanilide as substrate, we found a novel leupeptin-sensitive proteolytic enzyme in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea(MNU)-induced rat mammary adenocarcinoma. This enzyme was apparently different from urokinase-type plasminogen activator or cathepsin B and was present in mammary tumour at levels at least 20 times higher than those in normal mammary tissue. This enzyme was separated and purified from crude extracts of MNU-induced mammary adenocarcinoma approx. 1900-fold with 34% yield. It was a trypsin-like serine endopeptidase and had a pH optimum at 7.0. The native enzyme had an apparent M(r) of 180,000 and exhibited four isoelectric points ranging from 4.3 to 5.0. Electrophoresis of denatured enzyme, however, yielded, with reduction, a major band with an apparent M(r) of 37,500 and a minor band with an apparent M(r) of 35,500. The N-terminal 23 residues of the major band were Ile1-Val2-Gly3-Gly4-Gln5-Glu6-Ala7-+ ++Ser8-Gly9-Asn10-Lys11-Xaa12-Pro13- Val14- Gln15-Val16-Xaa17-Leu18-Xaa19-Val20- Trp21-Leu22-Pro23. These and other properties of this enzyme suggested that it most closely resembles rat skin tryptase, followed by rat peritoneal mast-cell tryptase and then by tryptases from other species. The rat, like human and mouse, may carry multiple tryptase genes, and this mammary-tumour enzyme may be an additional form of rat tryptase within a new serine-proteinase family.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Benzoylarginine Nitroanilide; Chromatography, Gel; Electrophoresis; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Stability; Female; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydrolysis; Isoelectric Point; Leupeptins; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental; Methylnitrosourea; Molecular Sequence Data; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Serine Endopeptidases; Substrate Specificity; Tissue Extracts

HT-29 cells derived from a human colonic adenocarcinoma, can express a typical intestinal differentiation. Undifferentiated HT-29 cells accumulate N-linked glycoproteins substituted with unprocessed carbohydrate chains before to degrade them. Conversely, carbohydrate chains of N-linked glycoproteins are classically processed in differentiated HT-29 cells. The instability of N-linked glycoproteins in undifferentiated HT-29 cells is due to their rapid delivery from the endoplasmic reticulum to a compartment with lysosomal characteristics. This catabolitic pathway involves a bypass of the Golgi apparatus.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Colonic Neoplasms; Drug Stability; Glycoproteins; Humans; Leupeptins; Polysaccharides; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Tumor Cells, Cultured

N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced rat mammary adenocarcinomas contain high levels of a novel leupeptin-sensitive serine endopeptidase. Its properties apparently differ from those of other similar endopeptidases reported to be present in various normal and malignant mammalian tissues. The same leupeptinsensitive serine endopeptidase was also detected in normal rat mammary tissues, but at levels approximately 20 times lower than those in MNU-induced mammary tumors. This enzyme, which is a trypsin-like serine endopeptidase, preferentially hydrolyzes various synthetic endopeptidase substrates at the carboxyl side of an arginyl residue. It has an apparent Mr of approximately 160,000 and a Stokes radius of 49 A, as determined by gel filtration. Its isoelectric points range from 4.5 to 4.8, and it has a pH optimum of approximately 7.0. The enzyme is stable from pH 4.0 to 7.0, but is extremely unstable above pH 7.0. Besides leupeptin, its activity is inhibited by antipain, aprotinin, N alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, but is not inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor. Many other potential inhibitors or activators such as 2-mercaptoethanol, p-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid and EDTA have no effect on its activity. The enzyme is adsorbed to p-aminobenzamidine agarose affinity beads at pH 6.5 and elutes at pH 4.0.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Arginine; Benzoylarginine Nitroanilide; Chromatography; Female; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydrolysis; Leupeptins; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental; Molecular Sequence Data; Oligopeptides; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Serine Endopeptidases; Substrate Specificity

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Antipain; Cell Division; Cell Line; Humans; Leupeptins; Oligopeptides; Pancreatic Elastase; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pepstatins